Multidirectional control



Dec. 29, 1970 J. E. HAM 3,550,466

MULTIDIRECTIONAL CONTROL Filed Nov. 26, 1968 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORJdH/V HAM A770E/V6V Dec. 29, 1970 J. HAM

MULTIDIRECTIONAL CONTROL 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 26, 1968 H W F E 37% .w 0 v m FUN. L m j f u 9 4 L V Z w w Z w W wig ww 7 3 3 L! A rTam/6V Dec. 29, 1970 J. E. HAM 3,550,466

MULTIDIRECTIONAL CONTROL Filed Nov. 26, 1968 I5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORJOHA/ 6. HAM

A 770EA/6V United States Patent O 3,550,466 MULTIDIRECTION AL CONTROLJohn E. Ham, Long Beach, Calif., assignor to Byron Jackson Inc., LongBeach, Calif., a corporation of Delaware Filed Nov. 26, 1968, Ser. No.779,046 Int. Cl. Gg 9/00 US. Cl. 74-471 5 Claims ABSTRACT OF THEDISCLOSURE A multidirectional control for actuating control systems, inwhich an operating lever is movable in opposite directions in differentplanes, and movement of the lever in either direction in one planeactuates a control switch and drives a potentiometer, movement of thelever in either direction in the other plane actuating another switchand driving another potentiometer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Apparatus has heretofore been developed forracking stands of drill pipe and drill collars in vertically disposedpositions in a pipe racking finger board, as more particularly disclosedin the application for United States Letters Patent of N. E. Johnson andJ. W. Turner, Jr., Ser. No. 687,820, filed Dec. 4, 1967, now Pat. No.3,501,017, entitled Finger Board and Racker Apparatus. Such apparatusincludes racker arms movable on X and Y axes, that is, between extendedand retracted positions relative to the center line of the derrick andin a direction at right angles to the extension and retractiondirection, whereby a length of pipe may be moved between a rackedposition and a position at which it may be made up with a drill string,or I vice versa. In the application for United States Letters Patent J.E. Ham, Ser. No. 779,171, filed Nov. 26, 1968, entitled Pipe RackingControl System, there is disclosed an electrohydraulic system foreffecting operation of the racking arms on the above-noted XY axes.

In order to facilitate the manual operation of the justmentioned system,it is desirable that a fioorman seated at a control console on thederrick floor or a derrick man seated at a control console aloft in thederrick be capable of simply manipulating operator mechanism foreffecting movement of the racker arms at a controlled rate and in aselected direction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides amultidirectional control mechanism enabling a derrick man or a floormanoperating the same, by the simple expedient of shifting a lever inopposite directions in either of two planes, to effect the controlledextension and retraction of the racker arms or the lateral movement ofthe arms a desired distance and at a desired rate.

More particularly, the invention provides a control operator mechanismin which the lever is connected for pivotal movement about axesextending normally with respect to one another. In this connection theapparatus provides a first shaft pivotally supporting the lever formovement in opposite directions from a central position in one plane anda second shaft which pivotally supports the lever for pivotal movementin either direction from a central position in a plane normal to thefirst-mentioned plane.

Still more specifically, the control mechanism of the invention providesmeans operable in response to movement of the control lever in eitherdirection in one plane for actuating a first switch and for driving afirst control potentiometer, whereby to control the operation of anelectrohydraulic control and operating system; the appara- 3,550,466Patented Dec. 29, 1970 tus also including means responsive to pivotalmovement of the lever in either direction in a second plane foractuating a second switch and driving a second potentiometer.

An object of the invention is to provide a multi-directional controlsystem which is of simple but reliable construction and whichfacilitates operation of a system for moving apparatus, such as piperacker arms, in multiple directions at different times and at a selectedrate.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be hereinafterdescribed or will become apparent to those skilled in the art, and thenovel features of the invention will be defined in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a top plan view of amultidirectional control mechanism embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a view in vertical section and on an enlarged scale, as takenon the line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view in vertical section, as taken on the line33 of FIG. 2,

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary detail view in vertical section, as taken on theline 44 of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is a view in horizontal section, as taken on the line 55 of FIG.2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS As seen in the drawings, themultidirectional control apparatus comprises a housing 1 having a bottomclosure 2 and a dome-like top closure 3. The dome-like top closure 3 hasa crossed slot generally denoted at 4 therein consisting of a slot Xintersected by a second slot Y, the slots X, Y being disposed normal toone another. Projecting from the dome-like top closure 3 through theslot 4 is an operating handle or lever 5 which may be provided with ahand grip or knob 6, the lever 5 being limited in its movement to travelin either direction in slot X or in slot Y from a central location.

The lever 5 is supported for movement in the slot X on a shaft X whichtransversely spans the housing 1, as well as for pivotal movement on asectional shaft Y which also spans the housing 1, the shifts X and Ybeing on axes extending normal to one another.

Internally of the housing 1 are a first microswitch 7 and a firstpotentiometer 8 respectively operated in response to pivotal movement ofthe lever 5 about the X axis in the X slot. Also within the housing 1are a second microswitch 9 and a second potentiometer 10 adapted to beoperated in response to pivotal movement of the lever 5 about the Y axisin the Y slot.

From the foregoing general description it will be understood that if thecontrol apparatus be located at a derrick mans seat in a well drillingderrick having a pipe racker system according to the disclosure of theabove-identified I. E. Ham application, the derrick man or otheroperator may effect the control of the racking arms by moving thecontrol lever 5 to the right or left in the X slot or forward or reversein the Y slot. Movement of the lever 5 to the right or the left in the Xslot will effect actuation of the microswitch 7 and will simultaneouslydrive the potentiometer 8 in a direction depending upon the directionmovement of the lever 5. Likewise, movement of the lever 5 eitherforward or reverse in the Y slot will effect actuation of themicroswitch 9 and will simultaneously drive the potentiometer 10 ineither direction.

More specifically, the housing 1 is a cylindrical body having an annularbase flange 11 welded as at 12 or otherwise suitably atfixed thereto,the bottom closure 2 being fastened as by fasteners 13 to the flange 11,and a seal gasket 14 being interposed between the flange 11 and thebottom closure 2. At its upper end the housing 1 has an upper fiange 15welded as at 16 or otherwise secured thereto and the dome-like topclosure 3 includes a radial base flange 17 secured as by fasteners 18 tothe housing flange 15, a suitable sealing gasket 19 being disposedbetween the flanges 15 and 17.

The shaft X extends diametrically through the housing 1 and is supportedat its opposite ends, as best seen in FIG. 3, in bushings 20, 20suitably affixed in openings 21 in the housing 1, these bushings 20having set screws 22 or other suitable means for fixing the axialdisposition of the shaft X and for preventing rotation thereof.Centrally of the shaft X is an inner ring 23 through which the shaft Xextends. A stop collar 23a fixed on the shaft X by a set screw 2312provides means for holding the ring 23 against movement along the shaftX in one direction. The ring 23 at its upper portion has a radiallyopening, angularly extended slot 24 through which the lever projects.

The shaft Y is sectional and includes short shaft sections respectivelymounted in bushings 26 disposed in diametrically spaced relation in thehousing 1 in openings 27 therein, as Well as in normal relation to theshaft X. Each of the sections of the shaft Y is fixed in its bushing 26by means of a set screw 28 or the like. At their inner ends the shaftsections of the shaft Y extend into an outer ring 29. This ring 29 isheld against movement in one direction along the sections of shaft Y bya stop collar 29a fixed on one of said shaft sections by a set screw29b. In its upper portion the ring 29 has a radially opening, angularlyextended slot 30, the lever 5 extending through the slot 30 as well asthrough the slot 24 in the inner ring 23. A guide or slide member 31 isfixed upon the lever 5 by a set screw 32 and has a portion 33 slidablydisposed in the slot 30.

Thus, the lever 5 may be moved in slot X, as seen in FIG. 2, and willpivot about shaft X to effect corresponding pivotal movement of theinner ring 23, as the lever 5 moves angularly in the slot 30 of theouter ring 29. correspondingly, as seen in FIG. 3, the lever 5 may bepivoted about the shaft sections of the shaft Y and will move angularlyin the slot Y in the dome-like top closure 3 and slot 24 in the innerring 23.

Such pivotal movement of the lever 5 on these intersecting axes ispermitted by a universal bearing structure generally denoted at 34mounted on the shaft X within the inner ring 23. This bearing structureincludes a sectional sleeve 35 secured at its outer ends by set screws36 to the shaft X, and the inner ends 37 of which may be axially movedalong the shaft X so as to be disposed in an annular bushing 38 toprovide a central bearing section for the bushing 38. This bushing 38has a partly spherical outer surface 39 which supports a partlyspherical bushing 40. The inner end of the lever 5 is provided with ahub or head 41 having an internal partly spherical surface 42 engagedwith the bushing 40, the lever 5 being inserted endwise through the ringslots 24 and 30 and threaded as at 43 into the head 41 followingassembly of the bearing structure 34 and the head 41. While the head 41is universally movable on the bearing structure 34, the permissiblemovement of the lever 5, as indicated above, is only in the twointersecting directions defined by the slots X, Y.

Each of the inner and outer rings 23 and 29, respectively, is providedwith actuator means for actuating the respective control meanscomprising the microswitches 7 and 9 and the potentiometers 8 and 10.Accordingly, as seen in FIG. 3, the inner ring 23 is provided with agear plate 45 having a central opening 46 therethrough for accommodatingthe shaft X, the gear plate 45 being welded as at 47 or otherwiseaffixed to the inner ring 23 for angular movement therewith. About itsperiphery the gear plate 45 has gear teeth 48 (see FIG. 4) engageablewith a pinion 49 which is aflixed as by a set screw 50 to the operatingshaft 51 of the potentiometer 8. The potentiometer 8 is supported inadjacent relation to the gear plate 45 by a support member 52 which isdisposed on the shaft X and secured in place by suitable means, such asa set screw 53. This support member 52 also provides a support for themicroswitch 7 which is secured as by fasteners 54 to the support member52 and has a switch arm 55 projecting toward the gear plate 45. The faceof the gear plate 45 adjacent the microswitch 7 has a depressionproviding opposing shoulders 56 and 57 adapted for engagement with theswitch arm 55. Thus, angular movement of the inner ring 23 in eitherdirection from a position at which it is vertically disposed will botheffect actuation of the microswitch 7 and driving of the pinion 49 ofthe potentiometer 8.

Means are provided for normally maintaining the inner ring 23 in thejust-mentioned neutral or vertical position, such means comprising alever 58 through which the shaft X extends and which is affixed as bywelding at 59 to the inner ring 23. The lever 58 has an outstanding arm60 engaged by one end of a coiled tension spring 61 which, as seen inFIG. 5, is connected at its other end by a suitable eye 62 within thehousing 1; and a similar coiled tension spring 63 is also connected tothe lever arm 60 and to another eye 64 so as to oppose the spring 61whereby to normally maintain the inner ring 23 in a neutral or verticalposition.

correspondingly, as seen in FIG. 2, the outer ring 29 carries a gearplate 65 having an opening 66 therethrough through which one of theshaft sections Y extends, the gear plate 65 being welded or otherwisesuitably affixed as at 67 to the outer ring 29 for angular movementtherewith. The gear plate 65 has teeth 68 thereon engaged with themating teeth of a pinion 69 which is secured as by a set screw 70 to theoperating shaft 71 of the potentiometer 10. The potentiometer 10 ismounted on a support member 72 fixed on one of the shaft sections Y by aset screw 73 or the like. The support member 72 also sup ports themicroswitch 9 which is secured to the support member 72 by suitablefasteners 74. The microswitch 9 includes a switch arm 75 which extendsinto a depression 76 in the adjacent face of the gear plate 65 and whichprovides opposing shoulders similar to the shoulders 56 and 57 in thegear plate 45 previously described.

Means are provided for normally maintaining the outer ring 29 in aneutral or vertical position at which the microswitch 9 will be openand, in the illustrative embodiment, the outer ring 29 supports a lever78 which is welded as at 79 or otherwise atfixed to the outer ring 29,the lever 78 having a pair of opposing coiled tension springs 81 and 83connected thereto, the other ends of the springs 81 and 83 respectivelybeing connected to an eye 84 and to the previously described eye 64 inthe housing 1. Thus, the outer ring 29 is normally maintained in aneutral position by the springs 81 and 83 but, upon movement of theouter ring 29 in either direction, the gear plate 65 will effectactuation of the switch arm 75 and rotation of the drive pinion 69 ofthe potentiometer 10.

In the illustrative embodiment a drag device is provided between thelever 5 and the dome-like top closure 3 of the housing 1. This dragdevice comprises a coiled compression spring interposed between asuitable stop collar 91 afiixed to the lever 5 by a set screw 92 or thelike, the spring 90 acting upon a slide member 93 disposed about thelever 5 and frictionally engaging the inner face of the dome-like topclosure 3.

In the use of the apparatus described above, and assuming that therespective microswitches 7 and 9 are off while the potentiometers 8 and10 are in a mid position when the lever 5 is in the upright positionextending through the intersection of the slots X and Y in the dome-liketop closure 3, the lever 5 may be moved, for example, to the right or tothe left in the X slot or, alternatively, may be moved forward orreverse in the Y slot of the dome-like top c1osure'3, but the lever 5may not be moved along both of the slots simultaneously. Movement of thelever either to the left or to the right in slot X will effect tiltingof the inner ring 23 and corresponding angular movement of the gearplate 45, resulting in the closure of microswitch 7 and driving of thepotentiometer 8 in the corresponding direction. Movement of the lever 5back to the point of intersection of the slots X, Y will result inreopening of the microswitch 7 and the returning of the potentiometer 8to its starting point or mid point. Likewise, movement of the lever 5 ineither a forward or reverse direction in the Y slot will effect closureof the microswitch 9 and driving of the potentiometer 10 in thecorresponding direction; and the return of the lever 5 to the point ofintersection of the slots X, Y will result in reopening of themicroswitch 9 and the return of the potentiometer 10 to its startingpoint or mid point.

Thus the control mechanism is well suited to use with a control systemof pipe racking apparatus of the type disclosed in the above-mentionedapplications for Letters Patent, the respective microswitches 7 and 9being adapted for effecting the energization and de-energization ofsolenoid control valves in a hydraulic system for effecting extensionand retraction of pipe racking arms, as well as lateral movement of sucharms in either the extended or retracted positions; and thepotentiometers being adapted to, for example, regulate the rate of fluidflow to the hydraulic actuators for the racking arms.

The apparatus of the invention may also be availed of for otherapplications in which the simultaneous operation of control means, suchas the microswitches and potentiometers, is desirable in response tomovement of a control lever or stick in intersecting directions.

What is claimed is:

1. A multidirectional control device comprising: a housing having firstand second shaft means therein on intersecting axes, a lever projectingfrom said housing, means interconnecting said lever with said shaftmeans for pivotal movement about either of said axes, actuator meansresponsive to movement of said lever in either direction about either ofsaid axes, and control means operable by said actuator means, whereinsaid means interconnecting said lever with said shaft means includesmeans pivotally mounting said lever on one of said shaft means, and saidactuator means includes a pair of rings, one ring of said pair beinginside the other ring, one of said rings being pivotally mounted on saidfirst shaft means, the other of said rings being pivotally mounted onthe other of said shaft means, said lever engaging both of said rings tomove said rings angularly with said lever, and said actuator meansincluding an actuator member operatively connected with each ring.

2. A multidirectional control device comprising: a housing having firstand second shaft means therein on intersecting axes, a lever projectingfrom said housing, means interconnecting said lever with said shaftmeans for pivotal movement about either of said axes, actuator meansresponsive to movement of said lever in either direction about either ofsaid axes, and control means operable by said actuator means, whereinsaid means interconnecting said lever with said shaft means includesmeans pivotally mounting said lever on one of said shaft means, and saidactuator means includes a pair of rings, one ring of said pair beinginside the other ring, one of said rings being pivotally mounted on saidfirst shaft means, the other of said rings being pivotally mounted onthe other of said shaft means, said lever engaging both of said rings tomove said rings angularly with said lever, said actuator means includinga gear carried by each of said rings and said control means including apinion engaged with said gear.

3. A multidirectional control device comprising: a housing having firstand second shaft means therein on intersecting axes, a lever projectingfrom said housing, means interconnecting said lever with said shaftmeans for pivotal movement about either of said axes, actuator meansresponsive to movement of said lever in either direction about either ofsaid axes, and control means operable by said actuator means, whereinsaid means interconnecting said lever with said shaft means includesmeans pivotally mounting said lever on one of said shaft means, and saidactuator means includes a pair of rings, one ring of said pair beinginside the other ring, one of said rings being pivotally mounted on saidfirst shaft means, the other of said rings being pivotally mounted onthe other of said shaft means, said lever engaging both of said rings tomove said ring angularly with said lever, said actuator means includinga gear carried by each of said rings and said control means includingfirst control means having a pinion engaged with said gear and secondcontrol means, said second control means having an actuator arm, saidgear having opposing shoulders engageable with said actuator arm.

4. A multidirectional control device comprising: a housing having firsthaving first and second shaft means therein on intersecting axes, alever projecting from said housing, means interconnecting said leverwith said shaft means for pivotal movement about either of said axes,actuator means responsive to movement of said lever in either directionabout either of said axes, and control means operable by said actuatormeans, wherein said means interconnecting said lever with said shaftmeans includes means pivotally mounting said lever on one of said shaftmeans, and said actuator means includes a pair of rings, one ring ofsaid pair being inside the other ring, one of said rings being pivotallymounted on said first shaft means, the other of said rings beingpivotally mounted on the other of said shaft means, said lever engagingboth of said rings to move said rings angularly with said lever, saidactuator means including an actuator member operatively connected witheach ring, and including means normally biasing said rings to a neutralposition.

5. A multidirectional control device comprising: a housing having firstand second shaft means therein 0n intersecting axes, a lever projectingfrom said housing, means interconnecting said lever with said shaftmeans for pivotal movement about either of said axes, actuator meansresponsive to movement of said lever in either direction about either ofsaid axes, and control means operable by said actuator means, whereinsaid means interconnecting said lever with said shaft means includesmeans pivotally mounting said lever on one of said shaft means, and saidactuator means includes a pair of rings, one ring of said pair beinginside the other ring, one of said rings being pivotally mounted on saidfirst shaft means, the other of said rings being pivotally mounted onthe other of said shaft means, each of said rings having an angularlyextending slot through which said lever extends, and including a part onsaid housing having crossed slots through which said lever also extends,said slots in said ring being on intersecting planes corresponding tothe intersecting planes of said crossed slots.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,545,649 3/1951 Capellaro74471UX 2,747,035 5/1956 Hansen et a1. 7447lX 3,095,754 7/1963 Mayon etal. 74471 3,308,675 3/1967 Jonsson 74471 MILTON KAUFMAN, PrimaryExaminer US. Cl. X.R. 200-6

